Himachal Pradesh: HC strict on illegal dumping in Govind Sagar lake, seeks reply by June 12

Illegal Dumping in Govind Sagar Lake: Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued notices to Forest Secretary, Chief Conservator of Forests, DFO Bilaspur, Additional Director Fisheries, NHAI Director PIU Mandi and Kiratpur-Nerchowk Highway Authority Limited. This notice was issued taking strict cognizance of a public interest litigation. In the petition, it was said that the debris of the Kiratpur-Namnali forelane was illegally dumped in the Govind Sagar lake. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Virendra Singh has summoned the response of the authorities on the PIL.

Hearing on public interest litigation in the High Court

Filing a petition in the Himachal Pradesh High Court, petitioner Madan Lal alleged that the soil released during the construction of the Kiratpur-Nerchowk National Highway is being illegally dumped in the Govind Sagar lake. The petitioner complained about this several times to the authorities, but the officer is not aware of it. The petitioner has said that the Govind Sagar lake located in Bilaspur and Una district is named after the tenth Guru of Sikhism Shri Govind Singh Ji. The lake is home to 51 species of fish such as the silver carp, being an important fishery reserve of the Himachal Pradesh government. Fishes like water chestnut and mahseer breed here. Despite this, the life of fish is also being spoiled by illegal dumping here.

Illegal dumping was also revealed in the investigation of the committee.

It has been told in the petition that an 8-member Joint Inspection Committee was formed under the chairmanship of SDM Bilaspur. In its report, the committee has mentioned about 10-12 pits near Govind Sagar lake. The committee had found that debris is dumped illegally in these ravines and this debris is reaching the Govind Sagar lake. Due to this, the fisheries department and fishermen are suffering huge losses. Illegal dumping of debris in the reservoir is adversely affecting fish production and affecting the earnings of fishermen.

Fish production decreased due to illegal dumping

The petitioner has alleged that according to the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, fish production has come down from 1 thousand 492 metric tonnes in 2014 to only 250 metric tonnes in 2022. There has been a huge reduction in fish production. This has negatively affected the livelihood of three thousand families.

Next hearing in the case will be on June 12

The petitioner has demanded the Himachal Pradesh High Court to direct the respondents to remove the illegally dumped debris in the Govind Sagar lake, from where the water flows into the Govind Sagar lake. The petitioner has prayed that an inquiry be ordered into the loss of livelihood of the poor fishermen. Also, there should be an inquiry against the responsible officers and employees. The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the respondents to ensure that no illegal dumping of debris is done in the Govind Sagar lake. Now the hearing of the case will be held on June 12.